The role of activated platelets in the process of bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K08414
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54020:Connective tissue disease and allergy-related
• Research Institution: Fujita Health University
• Principal Investigator: Yasuoka Hidekata 藤田医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (60365260)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 血小板 / 関節リウマチ / 膠原病

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Phenotype of platelets in RA patients were extensively analyzed including activation status and expression of surface molecules. In patients with RA, platelets were activated and showed altered phenotype based on the expression profile of surface molecules. Also the phenotypic alteration is associated with disease activity of RA, which is different from those in patients with scleroderma. Furthermore, physiological function of platelets were evaluated thorough release of the humoral factor in plasma and induction of NETosis detected by time-lapse image of DNA release from neutrophils induced by platelet. Concentration of CXCL4, a humoral factor which is abundant in platelets, was higher in both RA and vasculitis. Interestingly, NETosis is only detected by platelets from vasculitis patients, suggesting that alteration of platelet phenotype and contribution to the pathogenesis is different among connective tissue diseases. Platelets may associate with the pathogenesis of RA.

Free Research Field

リウマチ・膠原病

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

関節リウマチの病態における血小板の役割について追及し、その形質を明らかとしたこと、また血小板から放出されるCXCL4濃度の違いからはその放出能の違い、NETosis誘導の検討を通じて血小板が誘導する生理的現象の違いが明らかとなった。これらにより血小板の形質変化を介して膠原病の病態形成に寄与している可能性が考えられた。血小板による病態誘導の可能性、治療標的としての可能性が明らかとなり、学術的・社会的意義があるものと考える。